Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) said she’ll vote to confirm Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
“Polymarket—a betting market where people can bet on the outcome of world events—Tulsi Gabbard’s chances of becoming Director of National Intelligence (DNI) have soared to 92% after multiple GOP senators threw their support behind her. Her odds have spiked +43%, as even previously hesitant Republicans seem to be getting in line,” Mario Nawfal wrote.
POLYMARKET: TULSI GABBARD’S ODDS FOR DNI SKYROCKET PAST 90%
Polymarket—a betting market where people can bet on the outcome of world events—Tulsi Gabbard’s chances of becoming Director of National Intelligence (DNI) have soared to 92% after multiple GOP senators threw… pic.twitter.com/yOdvObqO9c
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 3, 2025
Per Maine Public Radio:
Gabbard’s confirmation was viewed as precarious in part because she had sponsored a bill as a Democratic lawmaker that would have dropped criminal charges against Snowden.
During last week’s confirmation hearing, Collins asked Gabbard if she would support or recommend a presidential pardon of Snowden. Gabbard said she wouldn’t, but the pardon authority rests solely with the president.
Collins vote could salvage Gabbard’s confirmation. Republicans have just a one-vote edge on the Senate Intelligence Committee, meaning one GOP holdout could prevent Gabbard from advancing to the full Senate for final confirmation.
The committee is expected to vote on Gabbard on Tuesday.
ADVERTISEMENTGabbard faced critical questions from Republican and Democratic senators during a nearly three-hour-long confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee last week. She faced questions about Snowden, as well as statements appearing to blame the U.S. and NATO for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and for her private meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
BREAKING: Sen. Susan Collins announces she will be voting YES on confirming Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence. pic.twitter.com/sdhFkrYMkz
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 3, 2025
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) also said he would support Gabbard’s nomination.
WATCH:
Senator @LindseyGrahamSC says he’s a “YES” on @TulsiGabbard for Director of National Intelligence.
“I’ll be a YES on RFK Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, and Kash Patel.” pic.twitter.com/vMIYjoeH6K
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 2, 2025
From Reuters:
During her hearing, Gabbard faced close questioning from senators from both parties about her past defense of former NSA contractor Edward Snowden and comments seen as supportive of Russia.
While in the House of Representatives, Gabbard introduced legislation that would have dropped charges against Snowden, a former government contractor who leaked thousands of National Security Agency documents and then sought asylum in Russia.
Gabbard repeatedly declined to answer when asked if she considered Snowden a traitor. “I am focused on the future and how we can prevent something like this from happening again,” she said in response to Republican James Lankford.
Collins last month was one of three Republicans who voted against another of Trump’s national security nominees, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, who is now secretary of defense.
ADVERTISEMENTThe vote for Hegseth was 50-50 in the 100-member Senate, but he became secretary because Vice President JD Vance broke the tie in his role as president of the Senate. It was only the second time in U.S. history that a cabinet secretary was confirmed with a vice president breaking a tie.
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